My wife's 2-year green card expired in November of 2007. We filed to remove conditions in September of 2007 with a NOA1 of 09/11/07.

We traveled to China in early February to be with her family for Chinese New Year during the second week of February. I returned to the USA in the middle of February. We own a home in southern China so my wife stayed in China to take care of the house. I returned in May for two weeks and then we both returned home in the first week of June.

When we filed the I-751, the projected processing time was six months. So even if the 10-year green card did not arrive by our February departure, we thought I could bring it to her when I returned in late May 2008. We thought in 8+ months the I-751 should be approved. So we never considered scheduling an appointment for the stamp in her passport. Anyways the extension letter should be sufficient for travel.

When the approval did not arrive before I left for China in May I was little worried. Since we fly through Hong Kong, my wife when traveling back to the USA must overcome the following "hurdles":
1. Clear Chinese customs when leaving China to enter Hong Kong (you must have the proper documentation including plane tickets)
2. Clear Hong Kong customs when entering Hong Kong (even though Hong Kong is part of China, their customs are not the same)
3. Obtain her airplane ticket from Continental Airlines at the baggage counter (we have e-ticket receipts)
4. Clear Hong Kong customs at the airport before reaching the gate
5. Clear US customs at Newark airport

While in China I e-mailed Continental Airlines to explain our situation and to ensure we would not have a problem with Continental at the airport in issuing my wife's airline ticket. Continental e-mailed back in two days with a great reply; they knew if my wife had her passport, expired green card, and I-797 extension letter this is sufficient to issue her boarding pass for the flight to the US. One problem resolved.


Below is our experience:

1. The immigration officer when exiting China was not going to permit my wife to leave the country. She saw the expired green card but did not understand the extension letter (Chinese immigration is knowledgeable in English but proficiency depends on the individual). Plus it is difficult to read one line on the entire extension letter which states that my wife's green card is extended for work and travel for one year (Even if you can read English !!!). So my wife ask for a supervisor. I showed the supervisor the sentence on the extension letter, she understood, and my wife was permitted to leave China.
2. No problems or questions when clearing Hong Kong customs to enter Hong Kong (the Chinese and Hong customs building are about one mile apart at Shenzhen).
3. No problems or questions at the Continental baggage counter at the airport. My wife received her boarding pass.
4. No problems or questions at Hong Kong customs at the airport when exiting to the boarding gates.
5. No problems at US customs in Newark airport. Immigration officer was very pleasant and asked my wife one question; how long was she in China.

As you can see, we only had one problem along the way, and it was quickly resolved. At all points, customs or Continental checked for all three items (passport, expired green card and extension letter). When passing through China and Hong Kong customs and Hong Kong airport we showed a copy of the I-797 extension letter. At US customs we showed the original I-797 extension letter. We did not want the original extension letter confiscated before we arrived in the US.


I think we are at the "extreme" end in circumstances when traveling outside the US with an expired green card. No real hassles with all ending well.

I hope this help calms concerns or fears when traveling internationally on an expired green card with the I-797 extension letter.


Thanks
Mark

Very useful and reassuring post, Mark. Thank you.

Mark, thank you very much for sharing. Good to know.

Very thorough post. And informative to boot, thanks.